In this issue2 Graduation gala concert4 Prize for Continuing Education5 New associate professors

UNIvErsIty NEws Is PUblIshEd byCommunications and Marketing, Fisher Building 18 Waterloo Quadrant, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142 email uninews@auckland.ac.nz www.auckland.ac.nz/universitynews

Editor Judy WilfordPhotogrAPhy godfrey Boehnke dEsignEr Vanda tong

Fortnightly newsletter for University staff | Volume 38 | issue 7 | 25 April 2008

Key events

Days of celebrationthe 2008 Autumn graduation ceremonies will take place at the Auckland town hall in 13 ceremonies, four on 1 May, three on 5 May, three on 7 May, and three on 9 May. Each day’s ceremonies will be preceded by a street procession from the Alumni Marquee to the town hall. this year just under 5,000 will graduate in person, with about 2,000 graduating in absentia.

Lunch and launchFormer staff will be welcomed to a luncheon as part of the University’s 125th Jubilee celebrations on 6 May from 12noon to 2pm in the Marquee at old government house. Former registrar Warwick nicoll will speak at the lunch, which will also be the occasion of the launch of a commemorative book by nicholas reid – The University of Auckland: The first 125 years, published by Auckland University Press.

Festivities at Faletickets are on sale until 8 May for the Pacific graduation dinner, which will celebrate the graduation of 362 students at the Autumn graduation ceremonies this year (compared with 354 in May 2007). the dinner will take place at 6.30pm on 10 May at the Fale Pasifika, Wynyard street. the cost is $35 and tickets are available from Marilyn gabriel in Pacific studies, ext 58593.

Key questions addressedone of the fathers of “green” chemistry, hood Fellow Professor richard schrock from Massachusetts institute of technology, will give a public lecture at the University on 1 May. Professor schrock, a co-winner of the 2005 nobel Prize for Chemistry, will share his ideas on “the nobel Prize, scientific research and our future.” the lecture begins at 6pm at Lecture theatre oggB5 in the owen g glenn Building, following drinks at 5.30pm.

Key events

hood Fellowships always offer advantages that flow both ways.

this couldn’t be clearer than in the case of two professors currently visiting from Mexico – John Mraz from the Universidad Autónoma de Puebla and Eli Bartra from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco – who are coming to the end of a six-week stay hosted by the new Zealand Centre for Latin American studies.

John has published widely on the uses of photography, cinema and video in recounting the histories of Mexico and Cuba. he has also directed award-winning documentary videotapes and curated international photography exhibits. Among his recent publications are Nacho López: Mexican Photographer (University of Minnesota Press) and Looking for Mexico: Modern Visual Culture and National identity (duke University Press).

Eli, a feminist philosopher whose interests traverse women’s politics, feminism and women’s artistic productions has a particular interest in folk art. she is the author of Frida Kahlo. Mujer, ideología y arte (Barcelona: icaria) and Mujeres en el arte popular (Women in Popular Art) Mexico: UAM. she is also co-author of Feminismo en México ayer y hoy (México: UAM), and is editor of Crafting Gender. Women and Folk Art in Latin America and the Caribbean (durham/London: duke University Press) and Debates en torno a una metodología feminista (Mexico: UAM-X).

during their time at the University of Auckland Eli and John have been keynote speakers and discussion leaders at a two-day symposium on Latin American and indigeneous film. they have also jointly led a highly successful one-day

symposium on Brazil on 4 April, attended by the Brazilian Ambassador and Brazilians living in new Zealand as well as by researchers in the humanities and social sciences from all over new Zealand.

John gave a public lecture on 19 March on photography, visual history and journalism, and John and Eli are delivering a shared lecture on April 24 on the art of Frida Kahlo and the photography of Manuel Alvarez Bravo.

their last activity will be a workshop on Latin American film studies and production, attended by staff and postgraduate students in spanish and Latin American studies. John will show clips of his films and will talk about documentary theories and strategies. his focus, in this workshop as in his writing and research, is on how images can be used rigorously, rather than just as illustrations.

“images are dangerous,” says John. “they create the way we see the world.”

While in this country Eli and John have both been making contacts which have allowed them to advance their professional expertise in a new cultural context.

Eli, who is at present doing research for a book on folk art and gender in Latin America, Asia and Australasia, has taken opportunities to meet and interview local weavers, while John has spent time with Auckland photographers and filmmakers, including a Mäori photographer who has specialised in documenting social struggles such as land claims and conflicts.

Eli and John will be in Auckland until 1 May and can be contacted through dr Walescka Pino-Ajeda (Latin American studies Programme and nZCLAs).

Rich exchange of knowledge

Left: An example of folk art from Brazil, Abayim rag doll, Woman with baby. Centre: Eli and John in Auckland. Right: John’s latest publication.

� 25 April | 2008

From the Vice-Chancellori have recently returned from a very busy week in China, accompanied by Pro Vice-Chancellor (international) Chris tremewan and a number of staff from our faculties and from Uniservices. the purpose of our visit was two-fold – to further develop our relationship with tsinghua and Qinghai Universities, and to support developing relationships between China and new Zealand in the area of research commercialisation.

tsinghua University is China’s leading science and technology university and is often referred to as that country’s Mit. We are working with tsinghua to assist in the development of Qinghai University, which is located in Xining City, Qinghai Province in China’s west. Qinghai Province is an extraordinary place – with about twice the land area of France, it has a population little greater than that of new Zealand, although that population is growing rapidly. Qinghai is the source of China’s three major rivers – the yellow, yangtse and Lanchang/Mekong rivers – and contains a very large salt lake. While being a major source of minerals for China, it is also subject to significant environmental issues. Already two of our staff, Professors Wei gao and gary Brierley, are working with Qinghai, and one of their academics will shortly begin his Phd study at our University. our visit to Qinghai was helpful in identifying areas where we can further assist their development and enhance collaboration.

the second part of the visit, to Beijing, involved a science to Market Forum organised by the University of Auckland in collaboration with a number of other universities and government ministries, and a technology Commercialisation networking Forum organised with tsinghua University and involving companies from each country, including about 150 Chinese companies. the purpose of these events was to identify areas of research and commercialisation expertise where cooperation between the two countries could be beneficial to both. the events were highly successful and we can look forward to many opportunities for new Zealand firms to do business in China as a result. there is little doubt that China will soon be the largest economy in the world and events such as these provide an avenue for new Zealand to engage strongly with its research and development sector.

Graduation Gala returns After an extraordinary response to last year’s graduation concert in the town hall, the University’s music students are gearing up for the second annual Graduation Gala Concerto Competition.

this year’s concert is an important part of the 125th Jubilee celebrations.

the concert will be conducted by harry Lyth, a distinguished visitor from Berlin, and features solo performances by school of Music virtuosos Wendy huang (piano), Amalia hall (violin) and hao Chen (piano).

the respective performances of the three will comprise rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of

Paganini; saint-saëns Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, first and third movements; and rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, 3rd movement.

As they did last year, the competition’s adjudicators will select the winners of the $3000 first prize, $1500 second prize and the third prize of $500.

the concert begins at 7.30pm on 9 May at the Auckland town hall. Admission is free, but guests are advised to arrive early to secure seating. For more information phone (09) 373 7599 ext 87707; email concerts@creative.auckland.ac.nz; or visit www.auckland.ac.nz/gradgala

From left to right are Amalia Hall (violin), Hao Chen (piano) and Wendy Huang (piano).

Postgrad programmes on paradeFaculties will be profiling their postgraduate teaching and research programmes at the inaugural Postgraduate Information week from 12 to 16 May.

Each day one or more faculties will profile their programmes, with faculty staff and postgraduate students on hand to answer queries on undertaking postgraduate study.

representatives from the school of graduate studies, Auckland international and Postgraduate Careers will be on hand at the events throughout the week.

A postgraduate stand will also be set up in the AUsA quad on Monday 12, tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 May from 12noon to 2pm to provide information to those interested in further exploring postgraduate study.

the week will end with a dinner hosted by the school of graduate studies at old government house for invited prospective postgraduate students across all disciplines. A prominent researcher and a

current postgraduate research student will be speaking, along with Professor raewyn dalziel, deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), to inspire these students to choose the University of Auckland for their postgraduate study.

Visit www.ourownwords.ac.nz and click on Postgraduate info Week for a complete schedule of the week’s information events. the event week is being coordinated by Lynda Ferris in Marketing (ext 85219, l.ferris@auckland.ac.nz).

Retrospective 1883-�008

the University of Auckland news 3

General Staff Professional Development Awards Applications and nominations for these awards open 1 May and close at 5pm on 30 May. the awards provide financial support for staff (individuals or teams) who wish to develop their work-related skills in administration, management, technical or professional services – and “make an identifiable, significant and excellent contribution to the life of the University”. the awards are typically used for visits to other higher education institutions, staff exchanges, specialised training or attendance at international conferences. All applications/nominations should be made on the official application form. to access this form, find further information and see examples of development activities funded in previous years, visit www.auckland.ac.nz/sodu and click on “Awards, scholarships and Fellowships”.

International agreementsthe University has recently signed renewed student exchange agreements with the University of Calgary in Canada, Albert Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg in germany, Waseda University in Japan, and the University of California (eight campuses) in the United states. it has also signed an addendum to the student exchange agreement with the University of nottingham – ningbo Campus in China, and a new student exchange agreement with University College, dublin, UK.

Memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreements enable formal research collaboration and academic staff exchange. student exchange agreements extend the relationship to allow for movement of students between the institutions. A letter of understanding varies the terms of the student exchange agreement. For more information about these agreements and the activities they make possible, contact Andrew Barron, a.barron@auckland.ac.nz ext 84202 (about MoU agreements) or Christine Berry, ch.berry@auckland.ac.nz ext 83956 (about student exchange agreements).

A full list of student exchange agreements can be found at www.auckland.ac.nz/360

Research and study leaveresearch and study leave applications for semester two, 2009 and semester one, 2010, are due with their head of department by 30 April. the application form is available on the staff intranet. the research and study leave policy, also on the staff intranet, provides detailed information about the application process. Queries can be addressed to your hod or your hr Manager.

. . . in brief

For about 10 years Auckland University literally did not know where it was going. But for the past two years its future has been clear. it may seem to the man in the street that not much had been done in those two years to create in Princes street the fine new university in permanent materials that Auckland has been promised.

Four years ago, the Auckland University Council put an end to all disputes as far as it was concerned about the location for the new university. We shall stay in Princes street it said. But more time was lost after that while the Auckland City Council tried to legally upset this decision. then, on August 30 1960, the last obstacle for the use of Princes street was removed when the town and Council Planning Appeal Board ruled that this area should be set aside for the university.

one permanent building has been erected already, the £170,000 fine arts block of 38,000 square feet. the way is now clear for the second permanent building, the 345,000 square ft science block.

the end of next year should see the completion of plans for the 120,000 sq ft engineering school. Construction of this will begin in June 1964. tenders for the new library of 93,000 sq ft should be called about the middle of 1964. Work should begin before the end of that year and the library will

be ready for use in 1967. A medical school is envisaged as part of the

new Auckland University. the university council and the senate support the establishment of a medical school here, providing existing claims for other buildings are not interfered with. A site in the Park road areas is proposed for this, and has been asked for. the grants Committee is expected to reply before the end of this year.

the total university area in the Princes street region (exclusive of the medical school) will be 47 acres when the government house grounds are made over to the university. Much of this land has already been purchased under a plan whereby old houses in the area have been bought and converted to provide temporary lecture rooms or studies.

For the next 10 years the University will be in the throes of a building programme costing more than £1 million a year, but in that time thousands of students will have to complete their studies in cramped conditions.

Extracts from ‘Way clear now for our new university’, Auckland Star, 16 october 1963, p. 24, University of Auckland, history series. Papers. Mss & Archives E-8, box 5, folder 1. special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

Aerial view of the campus, 1970s (work underway on the Human Sciences Building).

Most of the best performing students nationwide in the Cambridge International Examinations at A level last year have since enrolled at the University of Auckland.

three were among the five in new Zealand who topped their subject worldwide: Kezia Milne from ACg senior College (in Art and design), ryan Leitch from Westlake Boys’ high school (in geography) and Frances Clark from ACg senior College (in history).

students who came first in new Zealand in ten of 12 subjects are also attending this University in 2008. they are harry Bong from Auckland grammar school (in Accounting), rui yeu from Auckland grammar school (in Biology), ronald

Chan from Macleans College (in Business studies), Michael Plunket from Westlake Boys’ high school (in Chemistry), Jonathan Foulkes from Carey College (in Computing), samuel Baxter from Macleans College (in design and technology), Cecily Liu from ACg senior College (in Economics), Frances Clark from ACg senior College (in Literature in English), nicholas simmons from ACg senior College (in Physics) and david Perl from ACg senior College (in Psychology).

Ken rapson, director of the schools Partnership office, met the scholars at the awards ceremony. he believes their achievement “says something about our University’s ability to attract scholars of the highest calibre”.

Cambridge winners at Auckland

HR projects on trackA recently completed hr project provides the University with the ability to view organisational charts on the staff intranet. these charts will help managers plan their staffing requirements and report on staffing levels. Faculties and service divisions are working with hr Coordinators to get their data up to date. it is then kept current using the new position maintenance process.

in addition, the hr Connect+ project team is on track to start testing Peoplesoft v9 (the new hr and payroll system) and the associated hr processes. robust testing is essential and the team is looking to secure staff to help it with its testing regime.

Contact Liz Meyers l.meyers@auckland.ac.nz for more information.

New fundingthe royal society of new Zealand has established a charitable trust, the rutherford Foundation, to provide funding for Phd education, postdoctoral research and early career development in science. it will also support science teachers. the government will contribute $1 million per annum. in the first instance, the funds will be used to send Phd students to the University of Cambridge, which will support the programme with a 50-percent reduction in student fees. the first two royal society of new Zealand rutherford Foundation scholars will be announced on 10 december. A Freemasons new Zealand Postdoctoral Fellowship will also be established under the auspices of the foundation.

Pacific writers’ residencyFulbright new Zealand and Creative new Zealand invite applications for the 2008 Fulbright-Creative new Zealand Pacific Writers’ residency, which offers a new Zealand writer the opportunity to work for three months on a creative writing project exploring Pacific identity, culture or history at the University of hawai’i.

Valued at nZ$30,000, the residency includes return airfares to hawai’i, accommodation costs and an artist stipend. it is open to writers across all genres, including playwrights, fiction and non-fiction writers, poets and screen writers.

the residency is available from mid-August, with applications (to Creative new Zealand) closing 2 May 2008. see www.fulbright.org.nz/awards/nz-cnz.html or contact tarisi Vunidilo (tarisi.vunidilo@creativenz.govt.nz / 09 354 4863) or Emma Ward (emmaw@creativenz.govt.nz / 09 373 3066).

� 25 April | 2008

. . . in brief Auckland student heads to Oxford

Anna ramachandran, a recent Phd graduate from the University, will shortly head off to Oxford on one of the most prestigious scholarships available to New Zealand scientists, the Oxford Nuffield Medical Fellowship.

For her Phd thesis, Anna looked at the role of activin in the development of ovarian cancer. she plans to continue research into cancer, and potential treatments, during her fellowship in oxford, but with a slightly different focus. she will be joining a team at oxford’s Weatherall institute of Molecular Medicine looking at the potential role of micrornA in tumour angiogenesis, the development of a dedicated blood supply for a tumour.

the lab at Weatherall institute, headed by Adrian harris, has a well established track record in hypoxia and angiogenesis research with strong clinical links. Anna’s fellowship will allow her to spend a minimum of two years conducting research in this area, and allow her to bring the knowledge back to new Zealand, where no micrornA research currently exists.

rnA molecules are traditionally thought of as an intermediate that converts the genetic code of dnA into a functional protein required for cell activity. rnA interference is a mechanism where short, hairpin rnA molecules act as a control mechanism to interfere with this transmission of information. they do so by binding to target, protein coding rnA molecules, and either blocking their translation or targeting them for degradation.

in mammals, micrornAs form a mismatched duplex with its target sequence. this tolerance of mismatches means that each length of micrornA can regulate a large number of genes, allowing for fine tuning of gene expression. since the first extensive characterisation of mirnA at the turn of the century, mirnA have been shown to represent a mechanism that is very important in normal physiology and has great potential for control and treatment of cancer.

the oxford nuffield Medical Fellowship is only available to graduates in new Zealand, Australia and south Africa with a qualification in medicine or medical research to conduct clinical or scientific medical research at the University of oxford, UK.

Training eases prison tensionA special training course developed by the Centre for Continuing Education to help prison officers handle the stresses of their job has earned international recognition.

its “Building interpersonal skills” programme won the Workforce and Economic development category of the 2008 University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) awards.

Continuing Education also received a UCEA gold award in the Campaign Publications category for its marketing materials for international short Courses.

UCEA, with 425 members in the United states and 15 other countries, promotes excellence in continuing higher education.

Last year the department of Corrections commissioned Continuing Education to design practical training for corrections officers at rimutaka Prison. the course was developed to help deal with high levels of inexperience amongst officers there as a result of fast expansion and to provide training in handling difficult prisoners.

the staff needed training in communication skills, managing conflict, threats and intimidation, relating to people, managing their own and their teams’ emotions, and avoiding crises.

the programme was designed and developed by Professor susan geertshuis, director of CCE, who worked closely with staff from rimutaka Prison to identify their needs. it was designed so that selected officers could be trained as trainers and continue to use it within the prison.

the course was interspersed with video clips and

was made highly interactive by way of exercises, case studies, workshops, role plays, discussion, self-assessment and problem-solving. two 130-page manuals were produced, one for trainers and one for trainees. A pilot was run and refinements were made before the selected officers ran their first training.

the training has been directly responsible for better staff performance, improved professional and personal relationships, and heightened self-awareness, says Anne Cave, Programme Manager for Professional development at Continuing Education, who ran the project.

“it has given officers the skills to cope in a work environment that is prone to violence. it has achieved the ‘successful and effective training results in workplace settings’ which is a major criterion for the UCEA award.”

Continuing Education is now adapting the programme for use by other organisations whose staff deal with potentially violent situations.

Susan Geertshuis.

the University of Auckland news �

Viewpoint

Biofuels – how sustainable are they?the Biofuel Bill currently before Parliament aims for a biofuel sales obligation. oil companies would be required to supply 3.4 percent of total fuel as biofuel by 2012.

the Bill’s purpose and assumption is that biofuels will help reduce our net carbon dioxide emissions. But will they? the number of skeptics has risen sharply over the last few months. the issue is no longer biofuels vs fossil fuels, but sustainability.

it is impossible to impose a verdict on biofuels without looking at their life cycle. if produced from sustainable resources and processed in a carbon-neutral way, biofuels can in fact reduce carbon emissions. however, the life cycle also includes space. in new Zealand, biodiesel is presently produced from tallow and ethanol from whey, both waste by-products of the meat and dairy industry. Waste does not impact on land use (although the associated agricultural industry does) and can help in creating a market for the next generation of biofuels. the next generation would involve wood-based resources such as willows and woody biomass of various kinds until eventually breaking down cellulose may create sustained supply of biofuels. All this involves relatively moderate use of domestic space.

if, however, the Bill allows the import of biofuels, life cycle assessment looks very different. the global biofuel market is highly unsustainable (with Brazilian rain forests being cleared for palm oil and fuel crops competing with food crops). so rather than allowing, the Bill should ban the importation of unsustainably produced biofuels. this is not likely to happen, however, considering its consequences under the general Agreement on tariffs and trade; a biofuel-exporting country would have a strong case against new Zealand. on the other hand, a case before the World trade organisation is desirable as it forces the issue to be addressed at global level.

in sum, life cycle assessment shows that the Biofuel Bill, in its present form, would do considerably more harm than good. A mandatory requirement for sustainably produced biofuels would solve the problem. A domestic small-scale biofuel industry would be created that otherwise has no chance to emerge. the price to pay for this is a litigation risk: new Zealand may have to defend its case before the Wto. is sustainability worth it? i believe so.

Professor Klaus bosselmann, director, New Zealand Centre for Environmental law

Larry Chamley (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

born and bred in Auckland I moved to the waikato where I enjoyed my undergraduate years (yes, you can have fun in the waikato) to complete my bsc.

i returned to Auckland to study the molecular biology of thermophilic bacteria in the department

of Cell Biology where i completed my Msc and then moved to the University’s department of obstetrics and gynaecology at national Women’s hospital to complete my Phd. this was an interesting time with the Cartwright inquiry into the treatment of women with cervical cancer taking place while i was a Phd student. this provoked an interest in ethics that i maintain today.

it was also at national Women’s that i met my wife Carol. After two years as a health research Council overseas Fellow working in Liverpool (UK) i returned to the department of obstetrics and gynaecology where i established my own research group investigating causes of infertility, and diseases of pregnancy.

outside of work i enjoy spending time with my family (Carol, Lydia and Katy) and playing the piano very badly (as my neighbours will confirm). i would love to spend more time fishing!

Christian Soeller (Physiology)I obtained my diplom (bsc) in physics from the University of Göttingen in 1991 and a Phd from the Max-Planck-Institut for Fluid dynamics in Göttingen in 1994.

during postdoctoral research at the University of London i refocused my interests firmly on biophysics and biophotonics. the work in London provided me with a background in multiphoton and confocal microscopies that are major tools in my ongoing experimental research.

in 1998 i joined the department of Physiology as a lecturer. My research in Auckland revolves around the goal of a detailed mechanistic understanding of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling, a major determinant of cardiac contractility, using high-resolution imaging and mathematical modelling. the imaging work includes live cell studies as well as studies of fixed preparations to resolve structural detail at the sub-micrometer scale. since key biophysical processes occur in nanometer-sized domains we constantly push for improved optical imaging modalities with an emphasis on custom-built state-of-the-art equipment. the mix between experimental, theoretical and computer-based approaches makes sure that the daily tasks are never repetitive!

A more recent aspect of my work arose from a fruitful collaboration with colleagues in Chemistry that aims to develop novel nano-structured biosensors. this led to the creation of the interdisciplinary Polymer Electronics research Centre with colleagues across three faculties.

i relax by spending time with my wife and young son, and try to get out on the waters of the hauraki gulf for some windsurfing as time and weather allow.

New associate professors

the University of Auckland has a new champion to assist in the translation of neuroscience research to the clinic.

dr Alan Barber, a clinical neurologist and director of the Auckland City hospital stroke service, has been named the inaugural neurological Foundation Chair in Clinical neurology. in this new role, he will develop strong linkages between academic research at the University and clinical neurology services in Auckland and across new Zealand.

in his clinical role, he has led stroke management and treatment programmes at the

Auckland district health Board, and last year established a stroke unit at the Auckland City hospital. he also conducts research into imaging techniques to identify and study brain injury.

Senior appointmentProfessor Jane harding has been appointed to the position of deputy Vice Chancellor (research) after acting in the role since december last year. A profile of Jane will be published in the next issue of University news.

Neurology champion

� 25 April | 2008

Associate Professor Peter Gibbons

Books

Peter Gibbons died on 13 February 2008. staff in the department of Computer science and all of Peter’s many friends and colleagues are still shocked by this sudden and tragic loss.

Peter’s academic career began at Massey University where he completed a Bsc in Mathematics and statistics with first class honours in 1970, followed in 1972 by an Msc in Computer science with distinction – we believe this was the first degree in Computer science awarded in new Zealand.

After completing his Phd in toronto in 1976, he returned to lecture in Computer science, then moved to Auckland in 1980 as a senior lecturer, the first external hire of the newly-established department of Computer science. he became an associate professor in 1993, retired in 2004, and became an honorary associate professor.

Peter’s research area was on the boundary between Mathematics and Computer science in Combinatorics, in particular the subject of “block designs” involving the use of computers to search for interesting and rare patterns in blocks of numbers. though theoretical this has very practical applications in areas such as design of experiments and network routing. Peter maintained his research links with toronto, returning there for many sabbatical visits. Although the area is very specialised there is internationally a small group who work on such problems. Peter was one of the first to realise that, although he lived remotely in new Zealand, the internet meant that he could remain in collaboration with colleagues world-wide. Peter also hosted a steady stream of visitors who came to work with him – which greatly contributed to the research atmosphere in our department. Peter inspired many others into research, often drawn from the students he taught. these colleagues can be found peppered throughout new Zealand and the world.

Peter taught his research specialisation at graduate and undergraduate level. he was also willing to teach introductory programming to first-year students and programming at a more-advanced level and to get involved with new areas, such as multi-media and bioinformatics.

his course organisation was, as with everything he did, meticulous – his teaching was always highly rated by students. he supervised many student theses, again, often outside his central research area. Peter was closely involved with staff-student activities and with the well-being of students. he judged and contributed to supervision of programming competitions. When involved with student enrolment, Peter always acted with compassion towards students. to help them through difficulties he set up a student support network which was innovative in its time, still running, and now widely copied.

initially the department had few staff so everybody had to contribute to its running. Peter was, for many years, the designated deputy head, and in 1997 had a three-year period as hod. this was a difficult time with severe resource constraints due to a sinking lid policy when Computer science demand was rocketing. he kept the department in excellent spirit, juggled our meagre resources outstandingly well and led us through academic reviews that resulted in increases in budgets and staffing, leading ultimately to the new building we now occupy.

Peter’s friendly nature led to his having a great range of personal contacts in other institutions, and in industry. he was a member of the new Zealand Computer society and helped organise its conferences, and helped in arranging and awarding externally-funded student prizes and support. Peter was involved with all social activities within the department, organising or taking part. Peter loved to chat and was always willing to stop by for a yarn or to share a joke. if we share a common mental image of Peter it will be of him laughing uproariously as he exchanged quips and friendly jibes with others in the department.

outside the University Peter’s main interests were his immediate and extended family, his house and garden, and his great love of music. Peter and his wife noela many times hosted the department staff for barbecues and dinners. Peter was a member of the Auckland Choral society and heavily involved in its management – the choir sang at his funeral service in an overflowing Maclaurin Chapel. Peter’s son rainer is the section-leader oboist with the City of Birmingham symphony orchestra.

Although retired Peter was a still a central figure in the department. he leaves a large gap in our lives; we will continue to remember him fondly.

Emeritus Professor bob doran (Computer science)

For more than 40 years, Emeritus Professor C. K. stead (English) has been New Zealand’s leading literary and cultural critic.

Whether writing about Christianity or a trip to Croatia, stead always brings a clear personal point of view, a strong analytical bent and a witty pen to his work.

in this new collection of critical writing, published by Auckland University Press, a sequel to his successful books Kin of Place and The Writer at Work, stead takes the reader on a personal journey, from his earliest discovery of poetry as a young man to his experiences on the literary trail over the last few years. And he takes us on a trip through literary history, from Katherine Mansfield and t. s. Eliot to Michael King and Elizabeth Knox.

For the first time, stead includes in this book a

series of journal extracts that allow readers to get closer to the mind of the writer: “here the ego is exposed – not quite naked, but now and then with its shirt off,” he writes.

in Book Self we see a great new Zealand critic at work – a writer with strong personal views about other writers and a deep commitment to the role of criticism in literary life.

C. K. stead is a leading new Zealand writer, novelist, poet and critic. his most recent book of poetry is The Black River (AUP, 2007) and his most recent novel is the Montana-shortlisted My Name was Judas.

stead recently received the Michael King Fellowship and has won many other awards and prizes, including a CBE in 1985. he is a fellow of the royal society of Literature and was made a member of the order of new Zealand in 2007.

Book Self

the University of Auckland news �

Art

It has been an exciting few years for emerging artist Edith Amituanai (nee sagapolu), an Elam postgraduate student who had her first solo exhibition only a few years ago at Anna Miles Gallery in 2005.

since then she has been curated into exhibitions at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, st Paul street gallery, the Auckland Art gallery and the Dateline exhibition of new Zealand art currently touring Europe, as well as a solo show at Wellington’s City gallery in 2006.

And it is not just curators that have taken note. Last year she earned recognition from one of new Zealand’s most celebrated photographers, receiving the inaugural Marti Friedlander Photographic Award. “i particularly like the way her photographic essays portray people and places that reveal new Zealanders and all their diversity,” said Friedlander in the award announcement. And just last week it was announced that she has been shortlisted for the prestigious Walters Prize alongside such senior figures as Lisa reihana, John

Edith Sagapolu (Amituanai) (b.1980) the Amituanai Family lotu, from Ioka, 2004 LED print 4/5, The University of Auckland Art Collection.

reynolds and Peter robinson.Amituanai’s work draws on documentary

traditions with a particular interest in portraiture and domestic interiors. the subjects of her photographs are usually family or close friends, who provide ways for her to explore her upbringing as a new Zealand samoan. Dejeuner, the exhibition for which she has received the Walters nomination, depicts samoan new Zealander professional rugby players based in France, as well as the trophy-laden living rooms of their proud parents back home. the images explore the idea of a “third culture”, acknowledging the layers of identity that develop from the migrations of successive generations of Pacific people and the provisionality of having a place called home.

the University of Auckland Art Collection took an early interest in Amituanai’s work, purchasing in 2004 two works from what has loosely become known as her ioka series. taken before she married into the Amituanai family, these are depictions of what were then her boyfriend’s family, particularly focusing on her now sister-in-law ioka.

According to a statement issued by the 2008 Walters Prize jury, which included this writer, “Edith Amituanai’s modest and generous photographs, part formal portrait, part casual snapshot, reflect her engagement with communal and personal rituals, family intimacies and the subtle way traditions mutate.”

The Amituanai Family Lotu shows a private nightly ritual, still practised in samoa, where they would get together for family time, to pray, read the Bible in samoan and catch up with each other – Lotu literally translates as prayer. this is an intimate view in which the photographer’s relationship to the subject is essential.

Andrew Clifford

Intriguingly titled A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Studying Leadership, this book, one in a series published by sage Publications, is written by brad Jackson, the Fletcher building Education trust Professor of leadership at the business school and Professor Ken Parry from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia.

described by the authors as a book that “can be comfortably read on a four-hour plane or train ride with time built in for dinner”, its ideas and most of the material it contains have been tested with postgraduate and undergraduate, MBA and executive programme students in Australia, Canada, denmark, new Zealand and the United states. the book is being used to teach University of Auckland students in honours and MBA classes in Leadership.

there are currently well over 25,000 books about leadership on the market but most of them are in the form of inspirational stories for general

readers, explains Brad Jackson. A smaller niche at the other end of the scale is for academic texts written exclusively for a scholarly audience. this book seeks to find a middle ground and to reach a broader audience in a more accessible and engaging way.

one audience the book will attract is prospective students of leadership, who will hopefully learn enough to make them want to learn more; another is scholars in other disciplines who want to gain some familiarity with a rapidly growing field that has a lot to offer in many contexts. it is likely to appeal to north American as well as Australasian and European readers.

“the title is only partially correct,” writes Keith grant, Professor of defence Leadership at Cranfield University. “it is very short and it might be reasonably cheap but it’s ‘extremely’ rather than ‘fairly’ interesting and has managed to pack more wisdom into 150 pages than almost any other leadership book available.”

Studying Leadership

Books

From the collection

8 25 April | 2008

Please email classified ads to m.playfair@auckland.ac.nz nine days before publication. Cost $20 (incl Gst).

For a full list of the University of Auckland events see Next week Online: www.auckland.ac.nz/nextweekonline

What’s onFRIDAy �� APRIL Engineering Revue: A world without engineers. 7.30pm Maidment theatre. Come along for a night of passion, drama and outrageously comical entertainment$18 staff, $12 students and Faculty of Engineering staff. tickets from the Maidment. Queries phone 308-2383.

mONDAy �8 APRIL School of Biological Sciences seminar hon Assoc-Prof dave greenwood, school of Biological sciences, UoA and hortresearch, Mt Albert research Centre: Chemical ecology of elephant courtship. 1-2pm BLt 100.

TUESDAy �9 APRIL Communique ‘08Marcus Williams, Unitec: Repossession - place, space and memory. 1-2pm design Lecture theatre, Conference Centre, 22 symonds st. Queries to Kathy Waghorn, ext 89150 or email k.waghorn@auckland.ac.nzBioengineering research seminar dr stephen Bird, research Consultant, Faculty of Medicine, nursing and health sciences, Monash University: Biocompatibility of artificial organ and tissue replacement. 4-5pm rm 421 W-301, ALr5, Architecture.

WEDNESDAy 30 APRIL The managerial mentor9.30am-4.30pm rm 336, Level 3, Bldg 810, 1-11 short st. to support managers and team leaders in using coaching andmentoring approaches and techniques as part of their day to day role. Bookings and queries to ext 89630 or b.hoskin@auckland.ac.nzDepartment of Philosophy graduate seminar dr tim dare: The executioner’s integrity. 4-6pm rm 202, Fisher Bldg.Public lecture Prof Peter Cameron, Queen Mary, University of London: Sudoku: Is it mathematics? 6pm Lecture theatre sLt1, 38 Princes st. refreshments at 5.30pm.

THURSDAy 1 mAy Lunchtime HR clinic12-1.30pm Presentation rm 204, Level 2, Clocktower. A ‘lunch and learn’ clinic designed to assist managers with hr issues. Bookings and queries to ext 85070 or je.wilson@auckland.ac.nzHoly Communion 12.30-12.50pm Maclaurin Chapel, 18 Princes st. A weekly holy Communion service will be held today led by the Maclaurin Chaplain. All students and staff are welcome.Hood Fellow lectureProf richard schrock, Massachusetts

institute of technology: The Nobel Prize, scientific research and our future. 6pm Lecture theatre oggB5, owen g. glenn Bldg, Business school, grafton rd. refreshments at 5.30pm.

SATURDAy 3 mAy Exhibition talk1pm gus Fisher gallery. Linda tyler gives a first-hand account of life as director of the Centre for nZ Art research and discovery, which makes her responsible for UoA Art Collection. Email gusfishergallery@auckland.ac.nz

WEDNESDAy � mAy Department of Philosophy graduate seminar Paul daniels: A solution to the traveler’s dilemma. 4-6pm rm 202, Fisher Bldg.

THURSDAy 8 mAy Griffins morning tea 10am-12noon Parentspace, AUsA house, 4 Alfred st. Come and meet other student parents who share the same experiences of studying while raising children. Queries to spro@auckland.ac.nz Holy Communion 12.30-12.50pm Maclaurin Chapel, 18 Princes st. A weekly holy Communion service will be held today led by the Maclaurin Chaplain. All students and staff are welcome.

ClassifiedsACCOmmODATION AVAILABLEDevonport. Modern and sunny three-bdrm, two-bthrm home in peaceful setting. near beaches and golf course. granite kitchen, large decks, osP. Available furnished (unfurnished negotiable). Perfect writer’s retreat! n/s. Avail 1 June. $750 pw incl gardener and maid. Phone 445-3316.Devonport. sunny three-bdrm house. Furnished or unfurnished (negotiable). Well situated in quiet residential street. Close to reserve, tennis courts, golf course and seven minutes walk to beach. Easy walk to shops and schools. Brand new kitchen and cooker, open plan dining/kitchen. Fireplace and polished rimu floors. one car garaging and three car off-street parking. good transport links with devonport and Bayswater ferries. ideal for sabbatical visitor. Available 17 May. $520 pw. Email Michelle, triplem@slingshot.co.nz or phone (09) 410-3916.Devonport house, fully-furnished, private garden, from July 2008 to January 2009 (flexible). Walking distance to beaches, shops, and ferry to city. two bdrm, two lounges, study, central heating. ideal for sabbatical visitor. n/s. $600 pw (negotiable), includes free local phone calls. Contact r.raine@auckland.ac.nz

Freemans Bay two-storey villa, available for short-term rental during June to 17 July. this is a large family house in a great location near Ponsonby rd, shops and cafes. Flexible accommodation with four bdrms, two studies, two bthrms and two spacious living rooms, with French doors opening onto decks with views over the local park, the harbour and the city centre. Polished wooden floors, fully-furnished. suitable for visiting academics. Link bus to the University. Contact tricia for more information by email pm.austin@auckland.ac.nzHomestay room available in grey Lynn villa with English-speaking family. Fully furnished, close to buses, shops, cafes and parks. We are happy to provide English conversation sessions for a language student. Phone 376-8008 or email petalproductions@ww.co.nz House rental. overseas visitors? st heliers house available for three months from 22 May 2008. two+ bdrms plus good office close to tamaki Campus. $250 pw + power and phone. Wireless broadband. Care of friendly cat. Car available by arrangement. terms negotiable. Contact Judith on(09) 528-0252 or (027) 675-1718. Large furnished room in Avondale. semi-self-contained with own entrance,bar fridge, phone, internet. For individual or couple. Walk to shops,bus, train. off street parking. share kitchen, two baths, lounge, vegetablegarden with family of three. negotiable for right person(s). Phone 820-9976or email m.swift@auckland.ac.nzOmapere, Historic Hokianga. Peaceful location, ideal for writing. one-bdrm flat, suitable for one person only. two minutes walk to beach. Fully furnished, linen and bedding. own deck. off-street parking. $95 pw + electricity. Available April, for six months fixed-term rental. non smoker. no pets. For further information email maxhouse@xtra.co.nzPleasant accommodation offered.Fully-furnished dble room with ensuite, plus use of lounge and kitchen to share with family of three. Quiet location, six bdrm house in dannemora, Botany. Bus stop two doors from house. $250 pw + meals. short or long-term let. Please contact roshni on (09) 523-8256 or (09) 273-2356 (a/h). Refurbished Art Deco apartment, in central city close to the University of Auckland. one of only nine apartments in a secure complex. two dble bdrms, lounge and separate dining with a secure car park. Unfurnished but could be semi-furnished. Available now. $500 pw. Contact owner on (021) 421-148.Te Atatu Peninsula. house for rent 20 July to 20 november 2008 while we are on sabbatical. Modern three-bdrm, two-bthrm home, indoor garage and good backyard. Fully-furnished and possibility of car. $275 pw. Phone Mike o’sullivan on 373-7599 ext 87907 or (021) 365-761 or email Michael.osullivan@auckland.ac.nz

ACCOmmODATION REqUIRED Exchanging accommodation? We are looking for accommodation for seven adults during 19 - 29 June 2008 that we would exchange for our home (four bdrms and sleeps nine) in the Canadian rocky Mountains (Canmore - just outside of Banff, Alberta) for any time this year, except Christmas, or in the first part of next year. if you are interested please reply to jjtaylor@telusplanet.netHouse to rent short-term. Visiting professor with family requires a fully furnished three-bdrm house for the duration of one month, during the month of June 2008. Please contact Kim Williams, 373-7599 ext 88392 or kn.williams@auckland.ac.nz if you have anything available.Relax on your academic adventures overseas and leave your abode in the capable, responsible hands of my parents! they’ll be in Auckland mid-June to mid-July and would like to house or flat-sit. Plants will be atered, garden weeded, post collected, household contents lovingly cared for…. if this sounds tempting, and you live in the herne Bay/Ponsonby/grey Lynn/Kingsland area, please contact Amber on a.older@auckland.ac.nz

PROPERTy FOR SALE Private sale: owner transferring to overseas. A three-bdrm, 160 square metre townhouse with two car parks in small complex. Located in sought after grafton/newmarket area, top schools, domain, hospital easy walking distance to University. ideal investment or owner occupied. offers over $600K considered. Phone (09) 377-6254.Waiheke Island. 88 Wharf rd, ostend. 1887m2, private, sunny, north-facing property with lovely established gardens across the road from Putiki Bay. three- bdrm home + numerous outbuildings including large office. View tradeMe #150555569 or come and see it yourself. $920,000. Phone 372-2450 or email jhunt@ihug.co.nz

mISCELLANEOUS Hineteiwaiwa Te Kohanga Reo, University of Auckland. Vacancies available for over 2s. Phone 373-7599 ext 86534 for further information.International travel insurance. the AUs recommends that members useUni-Care insurance for sabbatical, other study overseas. Uni-Care offers 15% off standard rates for travel out of nZ to all university staff, full-time tertiary students and their families. Uni-Care Educational travel insurance, Po Box 32-167, devonport, ph (09) 446-1166, fax (09) 445-8832, email insure@uni-care.org Website www.uni-care.org